Reversible hydraulic nozzle

Abstract

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a reversible hydraulic nozzle that includes a front body section, which includes a hydraulic orifice, and a rear body section, which includes a rear opening. The reversible hydraulic nozzle is configured to be in fluid communication with an outlet valve of a hydraulic device in each of a dispensing orientation and a cleaning orientation. In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a hydraulic device that includes an outlet valve and the reversible hydraulic nozzle of the first aspect of the present invention. The present invention is further directed to using a needle-free injection device that includes the reversible hydraulic nozzle of the first aspect of the invention to perform a method of injection and a method of cleaning the reversible hydraulic nozzle.

1 . A reversible hydraulic nozzle, comprising:
 a front body section comprising a hydraulic orifice; and   a rear body section comprising a rear opening; and   a flange section positioned between the front and the rear body section; and   wherein the reversible hydraulic nozzle is configured to be in fluid communication with an outlet valve of a hydraulic device in each of a dispensing orientation and a cleaning orientation; and   wherein the flange section is configured to engage with a fastener of the hydraulic device in order that the fastener restricts movement of the reversible hydraulic nozzle relative to the outlet valve in each of the dispensing orientation and the cleaning orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic orifice has a first diameter, wherein the rear opening has a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the rear body section is configured to be more proximal to the outlet valve of the hydraulic device than the front body section in the dispensing orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the rear body section is configured to be in contact with the outlet valve of the hydraulic device in the dispensing orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the rear body section is configured to be slidably positioned within the outlet valve of the hydraulic device in the dispensing orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the rear body section is configured to be slidably positioned over the outlet valve of the hydraulic device in the dispensing orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the front body section is configured to be more proximal to the outlet valve than the rear body section in the cleaning orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the front body section is configured to be in contact with the outlet valve of the hydraulic device in the cleaning orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the front body section is configured to be slidably positioned within the outlet valve of the hydraulic device in the cleaning orientation. 
     
     
         10 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the front body portion is configured to be slidably positioned over the outlet valve of the hydraulic device in the cleaning orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein a front width of the front body section is substantially the same as a rear width of the rear body section. 
     
     
         12 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein a front diameter of the front body section is substantially the same as a rear diameter of the rear body section. 
     
     
         13 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 2 , wherein the first diameter is from about 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 2 , wherein the first diameter is from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 2 , wherein the first diameter is from about 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 2 , wherein a ratio of the second diameter to the first diameter is about 5:1 to 10:1. 
     
     
         17 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 2 , wherein a ratio of the second diameter to the first diameter is about 15:1 to 20:1. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a retention nut, a retaining pin, and a ball lock. 
     
     
         21 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 20 , wherein the fastener is a retention nut. 
     
     
         22 . The reversible hydraulic nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic device is selected from the group consisting of high-pressure washers, water jet metal-cutting manufacturing tools, aerosol spray devices, and needle-free injection devices. 
     
     
         23 - 41 . (canceled)